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2016 NBA Draft: Players with Most to Gain in NCAA Tournament

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 16, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) signs autographs during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men
Mar 16, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) signs autographs during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men /
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Mar 16, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) shoots the ball during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men
Mar 16, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) shoots the ball during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men /

Jamal Murray, Kentucky Wildcats

Prospect Rank: No. 4

Position: Guard

Age: 19 (2/23/1997)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’5″, 204 pounds, 6’7″

Slash Line: .456/.421/.788

Season Averages: 35.2 MPG, 20.1 MPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.2 3PM

Jamal Murray has been floating in and around the Top 10 for the better part of the 2015-16 college basketball season. While most still have him in the 6-to-10 range, I’ve moved Murray into my Top 5, and am prepared to take him even higher.

If Murray continues to play at his current level throughout the NCAA Tournament, it’d be very difficult to justify keeping him out of the Top 5—and he may even crack the Top 3.

It may sound crazy now, but Murray is a player worth deeply evaluating and considering at No. 1 overall. Ben Simmons and Dragan Bender are complete players with elite upside, and Brandon Ingram is on par in both regards, but Murray perfectly fits the standard for superstar play in the modern era.

A lights-out shooter with limitless range and the ability to create off the bounce, Murray has a lot of Stephen Curry in him.

Murray has tremendous size for a point guard at 6’5″ and 204 pounds with a 6’7″ wingspan. He was also locked down during the SEC Championship Game, and while he’s far from pulling a Ben McLemore—he’s excelled in just about every other setting—he can’t afford to post a dud of an NCAA Tournament.

Murray is a brilliant off-ball player who knows how to utilize screens, as well as a creative playmaker who can create penetration, but if he doesn’t shine in March Madness, he’ll have a hard time cracking the Top 5.

Next: Making His Own Legend